New Hampshire Senior News Notes

DOVER - Maple Suites is hosting an estate planning seminar at 11 a.m. Saturday for seniors and their adult children, as well as a fraud-prevention seminar at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9.

Both seminars, which are free and open to the public, will be held at the senior living community, 30 Holiday Drive.

Thomas Torr, an elder law attorney from Cocheco Elder Law Associates in Dover who specializes in estate planning, estate administration and wills and trusts for seniors, will conduct Saturday's seminar.

Torr will cover topics including preserving family assets, types of trusts and their benefits, durable power of attorney, wills, health directives, charitable planning and estate taxes.

The fraud seminar will be conducted by Detectives Pat Kilbreth and Ed Pike of the Dover Police Department.

The detectives will discuss how seniors can protect their bank accounts and Social Security numbers, how to maintain sensitive information and how to avoid being a victim of fraud and identity theft. They also will highlight any current scams that are targeting seniors.

Attendees who RSVP in advance are invited to stay for dinner at Maple Suites immediately after each seminar at 12:30 p.m. To RSVP or for more information, call Maple Suites at 742-8820.

Chapin Senior Center plans program on whole grains

NEW LONDON - The Kearsage Council on Aging's Chapin Senior Center, 37 Pleasant St., is offering a free three-part program - "Is it Whole Grain?" - from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 11, 18 and 25.

Activities and discussions will provide Information about the benefits of whole grains, how to eat more of them and how to read food packages to identify a whole grain food. Participants also will taste-test whole grain foods and share tips and recipes. To register, call the COA at 526-6368.

Gentle yoga will be offered from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 3 through Feb. 7. Each class will begin with a warm-up using simple stretches and then introduce one posture a week.

A blood pressure and glucose screening clinic and Ask a Nurse is set for 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday.

A VNA foot care clinic is planned from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday and from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. The cost is $20, and a doctor's order is required for diabetics. For an appointment, call the COA at 526-6368.

The center's Breakfast Club book discussion group will focus on "The Sense of An Ending" by Julian Barnes when it meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Second senior luncheon added in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH - Senior luncheons held at the Community Campus each month will expand to twice a month beginning in January, thanks to new funding from the city of Portsmouth.

The luncheons will be offered from noon to 1:30 p.m. the second Tuesday and the fourth Thursday each month.

The luncheons, which are organized and partially funded by Families First Health and Support Center, include soup, sandwiches, salad and dessert, for $4.

The Community Campus, home to several social service agencies, is located at 100 Campus Drive.

The next luncheons will be Tuesday, Jan. 8, and Thursday, Jan. 24. To reserve a spot for the Jan. 8 luncheon, call 422-8208 ext. 333 by Wednesday; to reserve for Jan. 24, call by Monday, Jan. 21.

Free transportation will be provided for Portsmouth residents who call 431-8677 by noon on the same day that lunch reservations are due.

VNA & Hospice to offer tai chi program in Laconia

LACONIA - Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice will offer a six-week session of the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program at its 780 N. Main St. office, starting Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Tai chi is an ancient practice that can reduce pain and improve mental and physical well-being. Often described as meditation in motion, tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements.

The foundation's program, developed by Dr. Paul Lam, uses gentle sun-style tai chi routines that are safe, easy to learn and suitable for every fitness level.

These sessions will be led by Charlene Fargnoli, who has been trained in sun-style tai chi and is active in many other forms of tai chi. Fargnoli works as a physical therapy assistant for the VNA & Hospice.

Space is limited and preregistration is required. To sign up or for more information, call Fargnoli at 524-8444.